Tony Fitzpatrick, UK. blog@tonyfitz.uk

BBC radio adaption of Walter Tevis's 1963 Science Fiction novel, best known for the 1976 screen adaption starring David Bowie. "Thomas Newton" is an alien from the war torn, polluted and dying planet Anthea, and is sent to earth by his race to build a spaceship capable of rescuing them from their fate, and enabling the remaining 300 of them to move to our planet. He has been selected for the mission due his relative strength compared with his fellow Antheans, giving him an ability to withstand earth's gravity and climate. Disguised with prosthetics to resemble a human, Thomas brings with him new technology, establishes a business selling advanced consumer electronics, and makes millions of dollars. He starts the construction of the spacecraft, but in doing so invites the interest of both the CIA and the FBI. He also has complex relationships with humans, including his "housekeeper" Betty Jo, who introduces him to the wonders of alcohol. Imprisoned and questioned by the authorities, the medical tests conducted by the FBI render him blind (he is sensitive to x-rays). With delay, the planetary alignment for his journey home has been missed, and unable to work, he decides to abandon his plan and rescue mission, ending his days drunk and depressed.

I have neither read the novel nor seen the film, but I found this an interesting twist on the "alien visits earth" sci-fi basic plot. Much of Tevis's novel focused on the risk of mankind destroying itself with nuclear weapons and this is clearly a focus for Newton - he has only five years to complete his mission, and needs to do so before mankind wipes itself out. As a story it is clearly a commentary on the cold war, and maybe a moral tale about loneliness, alcoholism, and society's suspicion of outsiders in general.

Cast included Harry Treadaway, Christopher Eccleston, Laura Aikman, Stuart Milligan, Glen McCready, Ako Mitchell, Andre Refig, Fiona Sheehan and Alix Dunmore. Written by Stephen Keyworth, and adapted from the novel by Walter Tevis. Directed by Simon Barnard. First broadcast 12th May 2024.

The rarely performed piano version of Grieg's famous Holberg Suite, Op. 40. Subtitled "Suite in olden style" (Suite i gammel stil), it consists of five movements based on eighteenth-century dance forms, and was written in 1884 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Dano-Norwegian humanist playwright Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754). Coupled on this CD with Grieg's Ballade, Op. 24 (Variations on a Norwegian Melody), and some of his Lyric Pieces (Lyriske stykker) part of a collection of 66 short pieces for solo piano published in 10 volumes from 1867 to 1901. CD released May 2024.

Enjoyable CD of the orchestral music of Florence Price (1888-1953), the "rediscovered" African American composer. Disc includes the Concert Overtures #1 and #2, the "Songs of the Oak", Colonial Dance and, her famous Suite of Dances (the orchestral version - it was originally scored for piano). Her work with spirituals is wonderful stuff. Tragedy is that Florence heard little of her music actually performed in her lifetime. Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen, conducted by John Jeter. CD released November 2022.

This was absolutely spell blindingly brilliant. I have never seen Britten's last opera (composed 1971-1973) before, although aware of it's reputation as "difficult", with the theme of unrequited homosexual love between an older man and a boy, aged about 13. Britten's original concept was for the boy (Tadzio) and his family to be played by non-singing dancers. WNO used wonderful circus acrobats - enhancing the concept that the boy was literally "out of reach", flying as he was on a trapeze. It worked very well, and the acrobats were amazingly skillful. The lead role of the aged German author, Gustav von Aschenbach (possibly a metaphor for Thomas Mann himself, and in who Britten maybe saw reflections of his own struggles) was taken just for this performance by Peter Van Hulle, who was excellent. The subsidiary male roles (Hotel Manager, fop, barber etc.) were all played by Roderick Williams, who I had never seen in an opera before, and clearly was hugely enjoying himself. Staging was simple, making effective use of projected back drops of sea (the lagoon etc.) and books (Aschenbach's study). After the mis-fire of the Mozart on the previous evening I was hugely impressed by this production.

Upper Circle T16.

Oh yuk! I know that Così fan tutte is subtitled "a school for scandal" but to set it in a real, modern, school, with the four principals depicted as adolescents, and Don Alfonso portrayed as their Sex Ed teacher, was all really rather creepy. Musically, of course, it was glorious, but I found the staging all a little uncomfortable. Boys in rugby and PE kit, girls in school uniform and so on. Even some large props depicting the male and female anatomy as you might find in a GCSE biology text book. Despina was portrayed as the "dinner lady", taking rather too close an interest in the love life of the two (presumably c. 15 year old) girls. Five stars for singing and music, one star for production.

Seat U16 - Upper Circle.

The world is facing the impact of devastating climate change, and so the decision is taken to load up a "star ship" with seeds, trees, books, etc. together with a skeleton volunteer crew and send them into space. They will "surf" the time dimension "string" that apparently runs across the Universe to enable them to experience the passing of years in hours, and await a signal from earth to return. In a hundred years on earth, they would only have experienced the passing of a few months. They then return, and "regrow" the ecology of a decimated world.

This was the basis of this entertaining and interesting BBC radio three drama. A few side stories - a set of failed relationships left on earth, the ego of a very rich ("Elon Musk like") person who funded the spaceship, and the failure of a mission to Mars using the same technology that killed several friends of the crew. Exploring the psychology of the sort of people who might volunteer for such a trip was the more interesting aspect of this play (the "strings" that tie them back to humanity) rather than the Sci-Fi, and it worked well, although the whole thing was a little over long. The denouement was that the rich man tried to sabotage the return to earth, motivated by a desire to leave our destruction of the earth behind and find an alternative future.

Cast included Tamara Lawrance, Andonis Anthony, Jenny Platt, Alfred Enoch, Adetomiwa Edun and Claire Benedict. Directed by Nadia Molinari. Written by Linda Marshall Griffiths. First broadcast March 2022.

A book from 2007, giving a sweep over the history of western classical music from the 12th century to today, from a long time presenter of the BBC Proms. Obviously we get sections on folk song, polyphony, Venice, 18th century London, Bach, the German Romantics, early 20th century, Eastern Europe, Edwardian British, modern American etc. I was especially interested in Naughtie's analysis (and condemnation) of the cult of celebrity that was prevalent for opera stars - he talks depressingly about Pavarotti's decline, and Maria Callas's embarrassing last performances. Less of an issue now. Read in hardback. Published September 2007.

Silly story, not often presented. Four men - the King of Navarre and three knights - decide to withdraw from the company of women for three years to focus on study and good work. The arrival of the daughter of the King of France with three of her ladies quickly forces them to abandon their oath, as they are all hopelessly in love. The Princess is negotiating the return of Aquitaine to France, on behalf of her ailing father, the King. The men try to woo the women, and are aided and abetted by a coterie of servants and courtiers. In the end word is received that the old King of France has died, and the women withdraw to mourn - the men promising to remain chaste for a year and a day whilst they await their return.

Except - for this production we are not in Navarre (or France) but on an Hawaiian island, in modern dress. The King of Navarre and his three friends are clearly "rich bros" taking advantage of the pleasures of a tropical resort hotel, and contemplating the meaning and focus of their lives. The programme was adorned with pictures of the likes of Mark Zuckenberg, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. The French women are all sun seekers, and indulge in the sun beds and beauty treatments available. We get Hawaiian shirted waiters with trays of drinks, a golf course, tennis lessons, flower garlands, and Hawaiian music - including a rewrite of Shakespeare's songs in dialect. A bit odd to be honest, and I am not sure it worked all that well. Part of the drama involves a "play within a play", presenting the story of the Nine Worthies, which unfortunately results in a brawl between two courtiers, Don Armado and Costard, fighting over the attractions of a servant girl, Jaquenetta. That dragged a little, and the portrayal of Don Armado as a Spanish lothario in tight tennis shorts (and tighter briefs) was silly. I enjoyed the production, but glad that it is one of the Bard's shorter plays!

Diana, Princess of Wales, in her dealings with the press and the court of public opinion, was merely following the trail started by the high spirited Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Caroline Amelia Elizabeth; 17 May 1768 – 7 August 1821). Caroline married her cousin George, Prince of Wales, in 1796. It was an arranged marriage, they had never met, and George was already (illegally) married to Mrs Maria Fitzherbert. George hated Caroline, and by 1806 was trying to divorce her, raking up all sorts of contrived evidence to prove her adultery. She however was very popular with the public, whilst "fat" and indulgent George was widely despised. When he became King George IV in 1820, he tried to have the Pains and Penalties Bill passed by Parliament to be rid of her, but he and the bill were so unpopular and Caroline so loved by the masses, that it was withdrawn by the Government of Lord Liverpool. The King barred Caroline from his coronation in July 1821, and she fell ill and died three weeks later. She was buried in her native Brunswick. This BBC radio play by Shelagh Stephenson from 2008 presents the bare facts of this story in an amusing and fast paced way, and also highlights the way in which radical and anti-monarchy elements tried unsuccessfully to co-opt naive Caroline to their cause. Cast included Alex Jennings, Rebecca Saire, Julian Rhind Tutt, Chris McHallem, Richard Howard, Mark Lambert, Jill Cardo and Nial Cusack. Directed by Eoin O'Callaghan. First broadcast December 2008.

A further set of New Testament stories set in a modern context, akin to the tradition of Mystery Plays of York, Coventry and elsewhere. I listened to the first set last year (see https://tonyfitz1959.postach.io/post/new-mystery-plays-bbc-radio-drama-listened-28-5-23-3-5). This collection consisted of five stories - re-writes of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder, The story of the Good Samaritan, The Parable of the Sower, the story of Lazarus, and the Parable of the Good Servant. All set at Christmas, very well done, and cleverly re-thought. I am a big fan of biblical stories reinterpreted in this way. Re-pitching the story of Lazarus being brought back from the dead as a conflict between modern medicine and a faith healer was, possibly, not as effective, but I still enjoyed them all very much. Written by Dawn King, Katie Hims, Frazer Flintham, Winsome Pinnock and Tom Wells. Introduced by Rev Dr Giles Fraser. Cast included Ben Crowe, Patrick Brennan, Will Howard, Paul Stonehouse, Liza Sadovy, Sarah Gordy, Lizzy Watts, O-T Fagbenle, Rosie Cavaliero, Will Howard, Christine Absalom, Adam Nagaitis, Noma Dumezweni, Robert Blythe, Sarah Thom, Stephanie Racine, Katie Angelou, Eleanor Crooks, Shaun Aylward, Jack Boulter and Ellie Hopkins. Directed by Jessica Dromgoole. First broadcast December 2012.

BBC radio drama exploring the rather sad story of the possible love affair between 18th century novelist Jane Austen and Irish trainee barrister, Tom LeFoy. They supposedly met in December 1795, and their courtship continued over the year during which Pride and Prejudice was written - he was possibly the inspiration for Mr Darcy. The relationship was not to be, with Tom's Aunt interfering to stop any plans for marriage; Jane being an unsuitable match for her nephew. LeFoy became a noted politician and judge, and served as an MP for the constituency of Dublin University in 1830–1841, Privy Councillor of Ireland in 1835–1869 and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland in 1852–1866. A fictional account of their relationship is at the centre of the 2007 film "Becoming Jane", and this 1999 BBC radio play explores the same story. Jane remained unmarried and died at the age of 41 in 1817, and LeFoy travelled from Ireland to England to pay his respects to her. LeFoy died in 1876 at the age of 93. Lovely play, and the 18th century dialogue is gorgeous. Written by Harriet O'Carroll. Cast included Helen McCrory, John Light, John Rowe, Paula Jacobs, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Frances Jeater, Tilly Gaunt, Giles Pagan and Harry Myers. Directed by Cherry Cookson. First broadcast December 1999.